Irene's palms turned clammy as she stared at the man in front of her. His vicious smile made the hair on her skin rise and her heart palpitate loudly. Sweat trickled down her spine while her eyes dilated in fear. She took a step back, only for the man to take a step toward her.

His wicked smile broadened on seeing her fearful gaze. He licked his lips before he ran his tongue on his teeth.

Irene had no idea who he was. But his wicked face and red eyes were enough to instill fear in her. There was no one around them and even though it was still bright, the place was eerie and frightening. All she found were trees and more trees that stretched for miles together, and it did not take long for Irene to realize that she was trapped in a jungle with the predator before her who was eyeing her like prey.

"Who are you?" She mustered all the courage in her and asked him, trying to appear as bold as possible. She hid the fear she had for him as she gritted her teeth. One thing the man reveled in was her fear and Irene had realized it the moment she saw his smile. She masked her terror behind her impassive face, not wanting to give him that pleasure.

"Do you not remember me, sweetheart?" The man's low and terror striking voice fell on her ears and she trembled slightly. "I have been waiting for you for years. How could you forget me this quickly?" He questioned back, complaining to her in return. His eyes were filled with sadness as he gazed at her.

But Irene did not miss the viciousness lurking in his red orbs. It was pretty evident and she perceived that the man was up to no good. He was trying to trap her in his words and lure her towards him.

"Who are you?" Irene repeated her question, now vexed by the situation she was in. Her annoyance replaced her fear and she narrowed her eyes slightly.

"Do you not remember me, dear? I am the man who loves you truly. I am the man who is willing to take anybody's life just to get your love in return. I am the man who was waiting for your return all these years and I am the man you are destined to be with." He stated calmly, his eyes losing the sadness in them.

Instead of being baffled, Irene only felt repulsed and frustrated by his words. There was something odd about him that scared Irene. His menacing aura only made her want to run away from him, and that was what she did. She turned on her feet and ran, trying to escape from the terrifying man.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

Irene ran past the past trees as she tried to get away from her predator. But to no avail. She did not know where she was going, the jungle was too confusing. She did not care about the thorns that pierced through her stockings and hurt her legs. She ignored the cold winds that kept howling and slapping her in the face as she brushed past the trees.

"Irene," She heard the man's voice behind her and her heart thudded in fear.

'How does he know my name?' She wondered, not slowing down. But the thick branches and plants were not helping her, restricting her speed and movement. She did not know where she was going. And all she wanted was to avoid getting caught by the man she knew was following her.

"Irene," The man's voice echoed through the jungle, sending tremors down her spine. He sounded close, too close for her liking.

Irene did not even have the time to see how far behind he was, for she felt a pair of arms wrap around her waist and pull her back. Her back hit a chest and Irene struggled in his arms, terror engulfing her.

"Let me go." She cried only for the man to chuckle wickedly.

"No, Irene. No way. I will never let you. Not again." He shook his head and made her face him.

Even though Irene was held in a vice-like grip, she did not stop struggling. However, that only added to the man's pleasure and he pulled her close.

"Do not fight me, dear. You will not be able to get away from me, not this time, at least. I will not allow you to do so. You are mine." He stated with conviction and Irene did not know what to make out of his words. She ignored them entirely and tried to get away from him. Her heart was filled with fear and resentment for the man who seemed hellbent on holding her close.

"Why are you fighting me, dear?" He queried softly and leaned down, only for Irene to pull back. He stopped in his movements and pursed his lips, irked by her actions. But he did not comment about it, letting her go this time, his arms still wound around her waist. "Irene, why will you not accept me? You do know how much I love you and desire you."

Irene remained quiet and kept struggling to get away in his arms.

"Do you know, Irene, how long I have been waiting for you?" He mused and stared at her face. "To touch you, to kiss you."

Irene's eyes widened in shock and her desire to escape from him increased. She struggled all the more, putting more strength, exhausting herself slowly. But she did not give up. The man was pure evil and she realized that nothing good would come out of his presence. His next words made Irene stop struggling for a moment and she stared at him in horror.

"And to drink from you." His eyes lowered to hers and his lips arched up in joy. "I have been waiting for this day all this while and I cannot wait any longer."

With that, he bent forward until his cold breath hit her neck, and even before she knew it, she felt his sharp canines gracing her skin. The next instant, his teeth sunk into her skin, piercing the white flesh and sucking on it as he drank from her to his heart's content.